"I don't understand what you mean."
True to his words, after agreeing with Madam Tracy, Fu Qian did not rush out. Instead, he found a spot and sat down.
Having witnessed the entire scene, Tracy seemed only now to have recovered from the impact of those words. With a frosty expression, she said she did not understand why she had been lumped together with someone else.
"Don't be nervous. I'm not some savior who descended here. I'm merely a listener, curious about your actions."
Fu Qian merely shook his head, first denying that he was some heaven-sent rescuer and emphasizing that he could not help.
"Though what I said earlier wasn't pleasant, it was indeed my genuine impression. You're not invested in this date at all, so why are you still so proactive in arranging it?"
The unpleasant remark, of course, referred to it having "a strong performative element."
While he had brought it up mainly to provoke the unconscious man.
The truth hurt most, after all. With at least some experience under his belt, Fu Qian knew that if his words had been complete nonsense, they would have been unlikely to truly provoke anger.
Madam Tracy's male companion had likely sensed something himself, and only became more ashamed and furious after it was pointed out.
"I find that rather interesting, so I'd like to hear you share a little—there, you can retrieve it now. I'm far enough away already."
Seeing Tracy's gaze unconsciously fall on her male companion in response to his earlier words, Fu Qian gestured toward the pocket of the patient gown, reminding her that he could no longer take advantage of the opportunity to do anything. She could take the brooch back now.
Fu Qian's well-meaning reminder was practically beyond criticism.
Especially in light of